Gas generator



J. J. MALIR, JR

Jane 2, 1951 GAS GENERATOR Filed Feb. 7, 1948 w MW INVENTOR. JOSEPHI -i Patented Jan. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in gas generators and has reference more particularly to a generator employing a volatile hydrocarbon.

In many places in our land where the ordinary gas or artificial gas is not available, as, for example. in villa es and on farms. gas burnin an paratus is usually provided with gas from some local generating plant or gas sold in compressed form in tanks.

It is the object of this invention to produce a simple and economical gas generating plant that employs the volatile hydrocarbon known as pentane. This hydrocarbon can be purchased at a comparatively low price and is exceptionally well suited for use in carbureting air to produce a combustible mixture that can be employed satisfactorily with household equipment, such as gas stoves, gas furnaces and the like.

In order to explain this invention so that it can be readily understood, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing in which the invention has been illustrated in its preferred form, and in which:

Figure 1 is a diametrical vertical section through the apparatus showing the same in position in the ground adjacent the place where the gas is to be consumed;

Figure 2 is a section taken on line 2-2, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a diametrical section through an air proportioning valve mechanism;

Figure 4 is a diametrical section through the drum containing the copper wool;

Figure 5 is a view looking downwardly in the direction of arrows 5, in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a diametrical section through the vaporizer at the lower end of one of the air pipes. Referring now to the drawing, reference numeral I0 designates the surface of the ground and reference numeral H designates a tank which is usually of cylindrical shape. This tank is provided with an upwardly extending cv1indrical collar I 2 terminating in a flange H. A

cylindrical drum M, closed at its upper end as indicated at I5, is provided at its lower end with a flange l6 that is bolted to flange Is by means of bolts ll, as shown in Figure 4. Ext-ending laterally from drum M is a short section of pipe H3 that is connected at its outer end with a flash guard comprising two substantially identical members !9 and ma. These members are provideo! on their inner opposed surfaces with frustoconical recesses 29 that are separated by means of a fine copper screen 2! into two parts. A

copper screen 22 is clamped between flanges l3 and It as shown in Figure 4. The part of drum l4 above screen 22 is filled with copper wool 23. A gas delivery pipe 24 extends outwardly from part l9a to the stove or other apparatus where the gas is to be burned.

A fill pipe 25 projects through the top 26 of drum l4 and is welded or otherwise hermetically sealed to the walls of the opening through which it pass s. The fill pi e terminates at a point substantially midway between the top and bottom of the tank and is provided at its lower end with two spaced perforated ends 21 between which is pivoted an arm 28 that carries at its end a float 29. A rod so is pivotally connected to the short end of rod 2 and ext nds upwardly through the fill pi e to the gauge 3| that is calibrated to indicate the number of gallons of liquid in the tank. The construction of this gauge has not been shown because it forms no part of this invention and moreover is old and well known. A branch pipe 32 is connected to fill pipe 25 and extends upwardly into the box 33 that is positioned at the top of the ground and which is provided with a cover 34. The upper end of pipe 52 has been shown as provided with a removable can 35 but is in the actual construction provided with one of the usual quick acting couplings that are normally closed, but with which a pipe from a supply tank wagon can be easily connected. This particular coupling has not been shown because it is old and well known and forms no part of this invention.

In order to generate gas it is necessary to bubble air throu h the liquid pentane and also to introduce diluting air above the liquid. The introduction of air is accomplished by means of two pipes of somewhat smaller diameter than pipe 25. One of these pipes has been designated by reference numeral 36 and the other by reference numeral 3?. Pine 36 extends to a point near the bottom of the tank where it is provided with an enlargement in the shape of an inverted cup 38 that is preferably provided with a large number of openings 39 in its cylindrical wall. Pipe 31 terminates in a laterally bent end portion 40 to which reference will hereinafter be made. Air under appropriate pressure is provided by means of an air compressor 5! from which a pipe 42 extends to a mixing valve that will now be described. The mixing valve has been shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 3 and consists 0f-a cylinder 43 that is surrounded by another cylindrical member 44 whose ends are connected with the cylinder 43 forming an annular manifold compartment 45. Pipe 42 communicates with compartment 45. The wall of cylinder 43 is provided with a number of small openings 46 through which air may pass. Pipe 3'! communicates with the cylinder 43 near its upper end and pipe 36 communicates with the cylinder at its lower end. A piston 4'! is slidably mounted in the cylinder and has a piston rod 48 that passes through a stufiing box 49 and terminates at its upper endin a handle '50. Handle 50 terminates adjacent a scale 5| that is provided within the box 33. By moving the piston upwardly or downwardly, the quantity of air that enters the tank ll through pipes 36 and 3! may be proportioned. The object of this is to get the gaseous mixtureof the correct richness. The rgas that escapes from the lower end of pipe 36 bubbles upwardly through the liquid and the gas that escapes through the laterally extending end 40 of 'pipei'3'lfsetsup a' turbulence in-the gas'that produces an intimate mixture. The'gas is maintained under a pressure Varying 'from a few ounces toasmuc'h as five or 'six'pounds; :however, the gaspressure is selected so as to get the desired results and .is :controlled by means of an' apparatus'of'awell known type that has -not beenrshown' 'ini'the drawing. i

The "pentane :is? replaced: from atank wagon or cylinder'in which it is transported undera :-The dispensing hose llS- 'consuitable pressure. mected with the'automatic couplingat the upper "end of pipe 32"andranotherhose of smaller size Fisrconnected with-an automatic coupling? 52* that extends'to the upper end of zthe tank-wagon. This equalizes the 'pressures and permits the liquid to'rlow freely into tank [I Luntilthe de- -sired' quantity"has been' reached.

The'flaslrguardserves to eliminate the danger of 'explosion'which otherwisemight occur in a iplant'of this type because the mixture of air and vapor: from thepentane inthe proportions fin "which" it is delivered is .very combustible and precaution must therefore "be 1 taken' against the possibility of having the igas within the tank ignited-by flash back'fromthe stove or furnace.

*Fromthe abovedescription it will be -apparent that thegas generator that has been illustrated on the-drawing and'described above :is :of :exceedingly simple construction; that it can'be :conveniently buried in'the-ground at a" depth where the -temperature :is =fair1y constant and whenzsoburied' the upper ends. of pipes :32 :and -3'l.-are.- available. The richness of the -gas can 'readily-be adjustedrby' means of the proportion valve shown-in Figure 3 whose-operating handle is accessible when cover 34 :is removed from .box 33.

z-Having-descr-ibed-the invention what is claimed 'as new is:

.1. A gas generator comprising; a tank for the reception ofca volatile liquid hydrocarbon, aunitary..control device. for said tank-comprising a icylindrical'drum having-means at itslower end .detachably securing the unit to securing means on the'topof the tank-said drum and securing means-beingof small size'relative to the tank,

said drum projecting upwardly from the tank, the upper end of the drum being closed by a wall and the lower end being open and communieating with the tank, a box having a cover disposed above said wall, a fill pipe secured to and extending through said wall, the lower end being disposed within the tank and the upper end within the box, a source of air under pressure, a first air supply pipe extending through said wall, the lower end terminatingnear the top of the tank and the upper end within the box, said air supply pipe having coupling means at its upper end for connection to a hydrocarbon supply'source, whereby said air supply pipe serves as a vent for the tank during filling thereof, a second air supply pipe secured to and extending through said 'wall, the lower end thereof terminating near the bottom of the tank and the upper end between said wall and box, an air distributing valve secured to said box having an actuator accessible within the "box, constructed to'proportion air from said source of auto the two air supply'pipes, and conduit'means connected' to said drurnfor removing gas-from the tank.

2. A gas generator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the securing means at the lower end of the drum comprises a peripheral flange thereon, detachably secured to a similarfiange on:the tank.

3. A gas generator in accordance with claiml including a screen extending'across said'open lower end of the drum, and'a'mass of copper wool 'filling the space within the drum.

4. A gas generator in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fill pipe has branch portions terminating' within the box, one branch portion adapted to receive the hydrocarbon whenthe tank is being filled, and the other branch portion adapted to receive a gage for indicating the quantity of hydrocarbon within the tank.

5. A gas generator in'accordance'with claim 1 wherein said air distributing valveincludes a perforate cylinder and' a movablepiston therein, the two air supply pipes beingconnected'respectively, to opposite ends of the: cylinder, the construction being such that the 'position of the pistonin the cylinder determines the distribution of air to the two air supply pipes, the-piston being connected to said actuator.

JOSEPH J. MALIR, 'JR.

REFERENCES 1 GIT-ED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED sTA'rEsPA'rEN'rs 

